Bangkok Raids, Devastating Bus Fire, and Major Policy Moves: A Day of High-Stakes Developments in Thailand
Authorities raid minimarts in Bangkok for contraband while fiscal year sees record methamphetamine bust. Tragic school bus fire in Pathum Thani kills 23 amid suspected gas leak investigation.
Authorities raided 10 Chinese-owned minimarts in Bangkok's Huai Khwang district on October 1 to crack down on contraband goods without FDA certification, also probing potential money laundering and tax issues.
Tragically, the same day saw a devastating fire on a school bus in Pathum Thani, killing 20 students and three teachers, with the driver later turning himself in as authorities investigate a suspected gas leak.
Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat is pushing for discussions on adding casinos to entertainment complexes, aiming to finalize tax and regulatory plans by mid-October, with major companies like Disney and Universal Studios expressing interest.
In other developments, Deputy Prime Minister and Transport Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit assured that future electric train networks outside Bangkok will not impact historical sites, particularly in cities like Chiang Mai, with construction slated to start in 2028.
On the law enforcement front, the Narcotics Suppression Bureau made a record haul, seizing over 380 million methamphetamine pills in the last fiscal year, marking a 56% increase from the previous year and confiscating assets worth over 4 billion baht.
Lastly, Gulf Energy Development Plc has launched a new gas-fired power plant in Rayong, boasting 662.5 megawatts of capacity under a 25-year agreement as Thailand aims to achieve 51% renewable energy by 2037.